On the 50th anniversary of the declaration of Emergency in India in 1975, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging that the country has been witnessing an "undeclared emergency" over the last decade under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.
In a public statement and social media post, Kharge claimed that while the 1975 Emergency was declared formally, the present situation reflects a “silent and systematic attack” on democratic institutions, civil liberties, and constitutional values. “For the past ten years, an undeclared emergency has taken root. Institutions are weakened, opposition voices are suppressed, and dissent is labeled anti-national,” said Kharge.
The Congress President further stated that the BJP government is misusing investigative agencies to intimidate political opponents and control media narratives. He accused the ruling party of promoting fear among citizens, journalists, and activists who question its policies. “The situation today may not have the formal proclamation of 1975, but the consequences are similar—loss of freedoms, centralization of power, and undermining of democratic principles,” he added.
Kharge also referenced the arrests of opposition leaders, the alleged targeting of media houses critical of the government, and the increasing use of sedition and anti-terror laws to stifle free expression. He said these developments point toward a democratic backslide and urged citizens to be vigilant in protecting constitutional rights.
The BJP swiftly responded to the allegations, dismissing them as politically motivated and factually incorrect. Union Minister Anurag Thakur criticized the Congress for trying to draw false equivalences with the Emergency imposed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. “Congress is trying to deflect attention from its internal failures and electoral defeats by falsely accusing the current government. The reality is that India is more democratic and transparent today than it was under Congress rule,” he said.
Senior BJP leader and spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia accused the Congress of hypocrisy. “It is ironic that the same party which imposed the only constitutionally declared Emergency in India's history is now accusing others of threatening democracy,” Bhatia remarked.
Political analysts noted that the remarks by Kharge reflect a broader strategy by the Congress to reframe the political narrative and reassert its ideological position in the current political landscape. The party is increasingly invoking themes of democracy, constitutionalism, and civil rights in its public messaging.
The remarks come at a time when the Congress is attempting to regroup following its performance in recent elections and strengthen its position within the opposition INDIA bloc. The Emergency anniversary provided a symbolic opportunity for the party to emphasize the importance of democratic institutions and frame the BJP as authoritarian in nature.
As political tensions continue to build, both national parties appear to be laying ideological groundwork in anticipation of the next major electoral cycle. The debate around the state of Indian democracy is expected to remain a central issue in the coming months.
